this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2023
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What's this Plant?

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There were a few of these plants next to each other, but not all of them had this bright purple coloration. I suppose there might be an acidic spot by the roots, but I'm not sure.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Automatic identification via PlantNet summary

Most likely match: Chenopodium giganteum D.Don

Common name Scientific name Likeliness
Tree Spinach Chenopodium giganteum 82.38 %
/ Lamium garganicum 2.21 %
Mexican Lemon Hyssop Agastache mexicana 1.59 %
/ Melissa axillaris 1.54 %
Coleus Plectranthus scutellarioides 0.55 %

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I agree!

The Wiki page points out that:

The younger leaves of Chenopodium giganteum are hairy with a magenta colour and the older become green.

But it doesn't go into what the pigment is, or why they might do this...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Some plants just do that. My rose bushes have red leaves, until it grows bigger and turns green.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Often, plants use a pigment called anthocyanin. This is used in flowers as an attractant for bees but also used in leaves as a sun screen. In intense light conditions the plant will use it to protect the interior vascular systems from sun damage.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Interesting - so maybe these pigments showed up in response to strong light?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

They do! Might be that this plant has a genetic variegation that causes it to be more red than it's neighbors. This plant is a delicious substitute for spinach by the way :)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Chenopodium giganteum (tree spinach)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago